INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) announces newly elected officers to its Board of Trustees for the following leadership positions: Myra Selby, Chair; Fred Green, Vice Chair; Dana Sherwood, Treasurer; and Jo Taylor, Secretary. The board also welcomes five new exciting members:
Dr. Judith G. Apple-VanAlstine lives in Fishers, IN, and is a member of Geist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She holds a Doctor of Education degree, along with Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Elementary Education, from Indiana University, Bloomington. For more than 16 years, Judy worked in higher education and is dedicated to life-long learning. She is the Dean Emerita of the School of Adult Learning at the University of Indianapolis. She has also held the positions of Director of Academic Programs at the University of Indianapolis and Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Center Grove Community School Corporation. Judith received the Commission for Accelerated Programs Excellence in Teaching Award in September of 2008.
Belinda Drake is Director of Youth Services at Indiana Youth Group, where she serves young people ages 12-24 who self-identify as LGBTQ+, as well as their allies. A resident of Indianapolis and a member of New Revelation Baptist Church, Belinda holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Law from IUPUI and has dedicated her career to community service. She has worked with the Indiana Family Social Services Administration and the Indiana Department of Child Services. In 2020, Belinda ran for Indiana State Senate in District 32. She mentors local youth, volunteers for the Indianapolis NAACP Young Adults Committee and other community groups, organizes local voter registration, and organizes STUDS Who Lead events to promote gender and sexual identity acceptance and inclusion.
Rev. Dr. William J. Smith, Jr. is the Pastor at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, IN. A native of Mathews County, VA, he was licensed and ordained at the Lebanon Baptist Church and served as an associate minister at Third Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Joe B. Fleming. William earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees at Virginia University and Seminary, an MDiv from CTS, and a DMin from United Theological Seminary. Under his leadership, Second Baptist recently started a Community Development Corporation, Embracing Hope of Howard County, and are renovating Douglass School, an historic African American School to serve as a community museum and cultural center and developing land for community transitional housing.
Timothy K. Sullivan is the Chief Financial Officer for Thompson Thrift Construction. He lives in Bloomington, IN, and is a member of First Christian Church. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Indiana University and an MBA from Butler University. Tim previously served as the VP of Finance and Director of Global Financial Planning and Analysis at Bemis Company. He currently serves on the board of Union Hospital and is a member of the Accounting Advisory Board for Indiana State University (ISU). Active in numerous professional organizations, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a mentor for the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. In 2005, he served as Six Sigma Green Belt Member of the Task force for Promoting Liberal Arts Educations at ISU.
Dr. Alana Jamil Washington is Executive Pastor at Amazing Grace Christian Church in Indianapolis, where she lives. Alana holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, an MBA in Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and an MA in Business Administration from Butler University. Since 2018, she has worked for Eli Lilly and Company and is currently Senior Director, US Alliance- Diabetes, Global Medical Affairs. She has also worked with the Methodist Medical Group and at St. Vincent Women’s Hospital and St. Vincent Hospital, where she served as Director of Pharmacy Services. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Pharmacists Association. She co-led the first capital campaign for the Amazing Grace Christian Church where she served as a Council Member and secretary from 2013-2018.
